Paspalum bifidifolium

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 15–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–0.7 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades filiform; 9–11 cm long; 9–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex soon splitting, or simple.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; unilateral; 3–4 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5 cm long. Rhachis 0.7 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.4–0.7 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; subacute; 2–2.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–2.2 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface granulose. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Guiana 1995.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.